Receptacle evacuating apparatus



Aug. 11, 1931. H. J. ENGBRECHT RECEP-TACLE EVACUATING- APPARATUS FiledMarch 7 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ziggy/p24 4 Shets-Sheet 2 (ill I val/4%;???

97 fimw H. J. ENGBRECHT RECEPTACLE EVACUATING APPARATUS Filed March '7,1925 Q Aug. 11, 1931.

Aug..ll, 1931. i H, J ENGBRECHT 1,817,918

. RECEPTACLE EVACUATING APPARATUS Filed March 7, i925 4 Sheets-Sheet 3Qjf-ziw 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March '7, 1925 g l /11 4A N H 576 CZZ wmhmmumcgmmm A jzverz Z07", Erma LIE M v a. U MMQEEEWM M v PMEIMEEM 47 hA 4 v B Patented Aug. ill, 1931i PTENT RECEPTACLE EVAOUA'I'ING APPARATUSApplication filed March 7, 1925.

My invention relates generally to appara tus for evacuating receptaclesof their contents and more especially to the evacuating ofoil-receptacles, as for example, and more particularly, crank-cases ofautomobile engines as one of the steps in the changing of ,the oil inthe receptacle.

My object, generally stated, is to provide a novel, simple andinexpensive construction of apparatus for expeditiously performing theevacuating operation.

Certain of my more specific objects are as follows To provide anapparatus, for the purpose 1 stated, employing, for its operation,fluidpressure, as for example compressed air, presenting the advantage,among others, of permitting of the utilizing of thecompressedair-producing mechanism commonly provided at service stationsfor tire inflation, and requiring only relatively inexpensive additionalequipment.

To provide for the rapid and effective evacuation of the receptacle,particularly a crank-case of an automobile engine.

To provide an apparatus for the purpose stated comprising the minimumnumber of moving parts to the end that likelihood of the apparatusbecoming out of order, will be re- 0 duced to the minimum. I

To provide an apparatus for the purpose stated the operation of whichmay be accurately, and easily, controlled.

T 0 provide an apparatus whereby the evacuating operation may beeffected without soiling the hands or the clothes of the operator.

To provide a novel and simple device for manipulation by the operator bywhich the force, to be employed in the evacuating operation, may beexerted on the liquid to be removed from the receptacle.

To provide such a device whereby it may be readily applied to, andremoved from, an outlet at the bottom of the receptacle, as for example,and more particularly, the outlet of a crank-case of an automobileengine.

To provide such a device for cooperation with a valve-controlled outletof a receptacle operating upon its application to such an Serial No.13,819.

outlet to automatically open the valve of said outlet to the device.

To provide a novel, simple and inexpensive construction of hollowdrain-adapter, through which the crank-case is evacuated, for use moreespecially as a part of my improved complete apparatus, which may besecured in the openings commonly provided in automobile crank-cases forreceiving the ordinary drain plugs, and particularly to provide such anadapter which may be used on all of the different kinds of crank-cases,as a substitute for the ordinary drain-plugs provided thereon.

To provide an adapter of the character stated equipped at itsdrain-outlet with a selfclosing valve adapted to be automatically openedin the application of the evacuating apparatus thereto, and moreparticularly presenting a plurality of drain outlets one of which isequipped with the valve referred to and the other of which is adapted toreceive an ordinary drain plug and through which the case may be drainedin the ordinary Way by removing the plug.

Referring to the accompanying drawings wherein my invention isillustrated in its preferred embodiment for evacuating the crank-casesof automobile engines Figure 1 is a view, partly diagrammatic,

of the crankcase-evacuating apparatus showing it connected, in operativeposition, with a crank-case of an automobile the drain outlet of whichis equipped with my improved adapter. Figure 1? is a broken, enlarged,section taken at the line 1 on Fig. 2 and viewed in the direction of thearrow. Figure 2 is a view in vertical, sectional, elevation of thevacuum-tank assembly forming a part of the apparatus, and comprising anejector-device for creating vacuum in the tank. Figure 3 is an enlarged,similar, view of the ejector device. Figure 4 is a broken view inlongitudinal sectional elevation of a portable, handle-equipped, valvedextension pipe device, forming a part of the apparatus, and throughwhich the suction is applied to the outlet of the crank-case, thesection being taken at the line 4 t on Fig. 6 and viewed in thedirection of the arrows. Figure 5 is a broken section taken at the lines55 on Fig. 4 and viewed in the direction of the arrows. Figure 6 is anedge view of the valved handle-portion of the extension pipe device.Figure 7 is a view in vertical sectional elevation of theadapter-equipped portion of the crank-case and that end of the extensionpipe device which directly co-operaies therewith, the pipe device beingshown disengaged from the adapter, but in alinement therewith. Figure 8is a similar view showing the extension pipe device moved into theposition it assumes when engaged in operative position with the adapter;and Figure 9, a broken, sectional, view of the lower portion of acrank-case of the side-outlet type showing my improved adapter appliedthereto.

The apparatus, in accordance with the preferred illustrated embodimentof my invention, comprises a vacuum-tank unit represented generally at10 and comprising a hollow column 11 surmounted by a vacuumtank 12 shownas formed of a base-plate 13 having a depending circular flange 14 withwhich the upperend of the column 11 is telescoped and to which latterthe plate 13 is secured; a cover plate 16 and an intermediate tubularsidewall-forming portion 17, preferably of glass, telescoped at its endswith circular flanges 18 and 19 on the plates 13 and 16, respectively,the portion 17 being surrounded by awire-screen guard 18 telescoped atits ends with flanges 19 and 20 on the plates 13 and 16, respectively.The plates 13 and 16 and tubular portion 17 are held rigidly together torender the tank 12 hermetically sealed, by means of a tubular member 21screwed at its lower open end into the plate 13, this member extendingupwardly through a packing-equipped opening 22 in the cover-plate 16,and a nut 23 screwed upon the threaded portion 24 of the tubular member21 and against the cover plate 16 and its packing shown at 16.

The vacuum is produced in the tank 12 by means of an ejector-devicerepresented generally at 25, and interposed in, and forming a part of,the tubular member 21. The device 25 comprises a casing 26 located inthe opening 22 in the cover-plate 16 and upon which the nut 23 isscrewed,as stated, the lower threaded open end of the casing 26 screwingupon the upper end of the lower pipe-section 27 of the tubular member 21and containing a passage 28 opening into the pipesection 27 and into theupper-end of the tank 12. The upper end of the casing 26 contains athreaded socket 29 into which the lower end of the upper pipe-section 30of the tubular member 21 is screwed. The ejector-casing contains, abovethe passage 28, a centrallydisposed passage 31 into the lower end ofwhich the upper end of a pipe 32 located in the pipe 27, in spacedrelation to the side-walls the tank 12, is drawn by the ejector actionof the device. The ejector device also comprises a tubular member 36which screws into the socket 29 and forms the top wall of thesuction-chamber 34. The member 36 contains a passage 37 constricted at38 and flaring upwardly and downwardly, respectively, above and belowthis restricted portion, as represented at 39 and 40, this passa e,which opens at its lower end into the chamber 34, being verticallyalined with the nozzle 33. The nozzle 33 contains a passage 39communicating at its lower end with the pipe 32 and opening at its upperend into the chamber 34, the passage 39 at its upper extremity beingrestricted at 41 with the side wall of its restricted portion flaringupwardly as represented at 42.

It will be understood from the foregoing that fiuidpressure supplied tothe pipe 32 and flowing through the nozzle 33 and the member 36 inducessuction in the tank 12 through the passage 35 and consequently suctionin the pipe 27, through the passage 28, for the purpose hereinafterstated.

The fluid-pressure supply referred to is shown as comprising a storagetank 44 communicating, by pipes 45, with an air-compressor 46, the tank44 being connected with a pipe 47 which extends upwardly into the column11 and thence laterally through the sidewall thereof, the pipe 47 beingconnected, at its outer end, with a. flexible hose-line 48 which isconnected at its outer end with an extension pipe-device, hereinafterdescribed, through which the compressed air is led,

'under valve control to a flexible hose-line 49 connected with the lowerlaterallyextending,

portion of the pipe 32 which projects through the side-wall of thecolumn 11.

The rigid extension pipe-device, hereinbefore referred to, andrepresented generally at 50, and through which the evacuating suction isapplied to the outlet of the crank-case tending lower end portion of apipe located in the column 11 and communicating at its upper end withthe lower end of a passage 56 in the base-plate 13 which passagecommunicates with the lower open end of the pipe 27.

The hand-grip 52 is provided with nipples 57 and 58 to which thehose-lines 48 and 49 are connected, respectively, these nipples openinginto passages 59 and 60, respectively, in the hand-grip. The passages 59and 60 open into valve-chambers 61 and 62, respectively, separated by apartition 63 containing an opening 64 presenting a valve-seat 65 withwhich a reciprocable valve 66 cooperates, this" valve being actuated byvalve stem 66 guided in a plug 67 in the chamber 62, and beingyieldingly held against the seat 65 by the pressure of the air in thechamber 61. The outer end of the valve stem 66 extends normally into aposition to be engaged, and forced inwardly to open position, by ahandlever 68 fulcrumed at 69 on the body-portion of the hand-grip 52 andyieldingly pressed away from the valve 66 by a spring 70. Thearrangement of the parts described is such that upon pressing the lever68 forwardly, by the thumb of the operator, air is permitted to flowfrom the air-supply tank 44 and thence through the ejector-device 25 producing suction as hereinbefore described, which exerts suction in thepipe section 51.

In the particular arrangement shown the receptacle (crank-case) to beevacuated is provided at its drain-outlet with an inwardlyopeningcheck-valve positioned to be opened by externally applied force, and theouter end portion of the pipe-extension 50 is so constructed that thisvalveis opened and an airtightjoint established between the pipe-device50 and the casing of the valve referred to, by the act of applying thepipe device 50 thereto. The joint referred to, in the particularconstruction shown, is produced by providing the outer end of thepipe-section 51 with a gasket 71 located in the outer end of a sleeve 72slidably-mounted on the outer end of the pipesection 51, the gasketbeing held in place against a flange 7 3 on the sleeve by a threadedwasher 74 screwed into the threaded portion 75 of the sleeve 72. Thesleeve is normally yieldingly pressed forwardly by a coil-spring 76positioned in the sleeve and in a recess 77 in the end of the 1 pipesection 51, and bearing at its ends against cross-wall 82 in the portionof the pipe 50,

the outer end of this pin, which is arranged concentric with the pipe51, extending adjacent the gasket 71 as shown.

The preferred form of drain-adapter shown and represented generally at83, comprises a body-portion containing therethrough an opening 84 oneend of which is restricted, as represented at 85, at which portion thebody of the adapter is of reduced diameter, as represented at 86, andforms a valve-seat 87, the wall of this opening at its other end beinginternally threaded as represented at 88. The body portion is providedwith a laterally-extending boss 89 disposed at substantially a rightangle to the plane of the opening 84 and internally and externallythreaded, as represented at 90 and 91. The

, adapter also comprises an inwardly-opening checkvalve 92 shown as inthe form of a ball, which is normally yielding held against the seat 87by a coil-spring 93 located in the opening 84 and confined between thevalve 92 and a hollow member hereinafter referred to' screwed into thethreaded portion 88 of the adapter.

The arrangement ofthe parts described is such that upon applying theextension pipedevice 50 to the reduced end-portion 86 of the adapter toengage the gasket 71 with the portion 86, and pushing the pipe-device 50toward the adapter, the gasket is caused to make a tight joint with theportion 86, and

the pipe 51, together with the pin 81, moves forwardly to the positionshown in Fig. 8, the pin in this operation unseatingthe valve 92 inopposition to the spring 93 and establishing communication between thepipe 51 and the interior of the adapter.

The adapter illustrated is adapted for universal application tocrank-cases. In Fig. 7 I have shown it as installed in the crank-case ofa Ford engine represented at 94, the adapter in such installation beingscrewed at its boss 89 into the internally-threaded drainoutlet 95 ofthe crank-case 94, and the end thereof, threaded at 88 closed by a plug96, screwed into a bushing 97 engaging the threads 88 of the adapter. InFig. 8 I have shown the adapter as installed in a crankcase of adifferent construction, represented at 98 and containing a largerdrain-outlet 98, the adapter in this construction being secured at thedrain-opening 99 by a bushing 100 externally threaded at 101, at whichportionit screws into the drain-outlet 99, and internally threaded at102'into which portion the boss 89 of the adapter is screwed. In Fig. 9the adapter is shown as installed in a crank-case, shown at 103, of atype where in its drain-outlet, represented at 104, opens through aside-wall of the case. Inthis installation the connection between theadapter and case 103 is made at the threaded portion 88 of the adapterthrough the medium of a bushing 105 screwed at one end into thedrain-outlet 104 and at its opposite end into the threaded portion 88 ofthe adapter, a plug 106 being screwed into the boss 89 of the adapterwhich latter is so positioned that its boss projects downwardly.

In the use of the apparatus the operator grasping the hand-grip 52applies the outer end of the extension pipe-device to the adapter asshown in Fig. 8 and as hereinbefore described, and presses on thevalvecontrolling lever 68, which opens the valve 62 and allows air underpressure to flow from the tank 44: through the ejector device 25, thusproducing suction in the tank 12 which is communicated to the pipe 51and exerted on the oil in the crank-case, which is quickly evacuated ofits oil content, the latter being drawn into the tank 12 through thepipe 27 wherein it is exposed to View.

The tank 12 is shown as provided with a draw-off pipe 107, valved at108, through which the oil in this tank may be allowed to flow to anydesired point, as for example, into a storage tank 109 shown ascommunicating with a pump 110 for discharging the oil from the tank, asfor example, into cars (not shown).

One of the primary advantages of my apparatus is that it may beinstalled in oilfilling stations, as commonly provided, with the minimumof expenditure for additional equipment and maintenance, inasmuch as theair-compressing and air-storage apparatus provided, at such stations,for tireinfiation, may be used to supply the compressed air used in theoperating of my oil draining apparatus.

The provision of the extension pipe-device especially whenequipped withmeans controlling the exertion of suction therein, is of advantage as itaffords a means for connection with the outlet of the crank-case, whichmay be readily and conveniently manipulated by the operator, and whereused in the arrangement shown obviates the necessity of preliminarilyremoving or displacing any of the parts of the automobile.

The adapter, as shown, presents the advantage of universal applicationto crank-cases of diflerent forms, while affording, preferably, by theprovision of a removable solid drain-plug, means by which the crank-easemay be drained by gravity flow alone if desired.

While the several features of my apparatus are "shown as combined toform an oildraining unit, it will be understoodthat these severalfeatures are capable of use separately in other combinations, whereintheir several respective functions and advantages may be availed of. Inthis connection it may be stated that whereas the apparatus shownincludes a special type of adapter through which the oil flows bygravity by reason of the location of its outlet at a point below thebottom of the crank-case, such is not necessary 1n the availing ofcertain advantages utilized to great advantage in the evacuating ofreceptacles through openings therein above their bottoms, as forexample, in the case of the casings of transmission gears, in which casethe suction pipe of the apparatus would be introduced downwardly intothe contents of the receptacle to be evacuated to emerse it therein.

While I have illustrated and described a particular embodiment of myinvention it will be understood that various changes and alterations maybe made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. The combination with an oil receptacle, such as the crank-case of anautomobile,

having a check-valve-equipped discharge outlet opening below the normaloil level in the receptacle, of a pipe device, means for detachablyconnecting said pipe device to said discharge outlet, means forautomatically opening said valve, and means for exerting suction in saidpipe-device.

2. The combination with an oil receptacle, such as the crank case of anautomobile, to be evacuated of its oil-content and containing a bottomdischarge outlet, of a valve on said outlet, an extension suction-pipedevice for detachable connection with said drain outlet and having ahand grip, means for opening said valve when said pipe is con nectedwith said discharging outlet means connected with said pipe device forcreating suction in the latter, and means on said grip controlling theproduction of suction in said pipe device and comprising a controllingelement positioned to be operated by the thumb of the operator graspingsaid hand grip.

3. In apparatus for the purpose set forth, the combination offluid-pressure-operated suction producing means, a suction-pipe de vicecommunicating with said suction-producing means and adapted to beapplied to a receptacle to be evacuated, a conduit through which thefluid for actuating said suction-producing means is supplied to thelatter, said conduit extending in said pipedevice, and means on saidpipe-device for controlling the flow of fluid-pressure to saidsuction-producing means. v

4. In suction-producing apparatus, the combination of a vacuum tank, asuction pipe in said tank open at one end for communication with thespace in which suction is to be exerted and opening into said tankadjacent the upper end of the latter, an ejector-device adjacent theupper end of said tank with its suction-inlet communicating with saidtank, and a pipe for directing fluid pressure into said ejector-deviceextending through said first-named pipe and in spaced relation thereto.

' tions, a suction-pipe in said tank and connected at its lower open endwith the lower one of said end portions, said last-referredto endportion containing a passage communicating with said pipe, anejector-device connected with the upper'end of said pipe, the top ofsaid ejector-device containing a passage which opens into the upper endof said vacuum tank and into the upper end of said pipe, thesuction-inlet of said ejectordevice opening into the upper portion ofsaid tank, and a pipe for supplying fluid-pressure to saidejector-device extending through said first-named pipe and in spacedrelation thereto and communicating with the pressure-inlet of saidejector-device.

6. Apparatus for evacuating the crank cases of automobiles through alower drain outlet thereof comprising a check valve in said outlet, arigid pipe having an inlet at which it is adapted to be detachablyconnected with said outlet, means on said pipe for opening said checkvalve, and means for producing suction in said pipe, said pipe being ofsuch length that it extends from such an outlet to which it is applied,substantial- 1y to the side edge of the automobile.

7. Apparatus for evacuating the crank cases of automobiles through alower drain outlet thereof comprising, a check valve on said drainoutlet,fa conduit comprising a flexible pipe section and a rigid pipesection, the inlet end of said rigid pipe section being adapted fordetachable communication with said outlet of the crank case and of suchlength that it extends from the outlet to which it is appliedsubstantially to the side edge of the automobile, means on said rigidpipe section for opening said check valve, and means for producing flowof the lubricant from said outlet through said conduit.

8. Apparatus for evacuating the crank cases of automobiles through alower drain outlet thereof, comprising a check valve on said outlet,suction-producing means, a conduit in communicationwith said means andcomprising-a flexible pipe section anda rigid pipe section, and means onthe rigld pipe section for opening said valve, the inlet end of saidrigid-pipe section being adapted for detachable communication with theoutlet of crank cases and of such length that it extends from such anoutlet to which it is applied, substantially to the side edge of theautomobile.

9. Apparatus for evacuating the crank cases of automobiles through alower drain outlet thereof comprising a check valve in said outlet, aflexible pipe section and a rigid pipe section, the inlet end of saidrigid pipe section being adapted for communication with said outlet ofcrank cases and of such length that it extends from such an outlet towhich it is applied substantially to the side edge of the automobile,means on said rigid pipe section for opening said check valve, means forproducing flow of the'lubricant from such an outlet through saidconduit, and a receptacle into which the lubricant discharges throughsaid conduit.

10. Apparatus for evacuating the crank cases of automobiles through alower drain outlet thereof comprising, a valve in said outlet, areceptacle, means for producing suction in said receptacle, a conduit incommunication with said receptacle and comprising a flexible pipesection and a rigid pipe section, the inlet end of said rigid pipesection being adapted for detachable communicatioi'i with the outlet ofcrank cases and of such length that it extends from such an outlet towhich it is applied substantially to the side edge of the automobile andmeans on said {igid pipe for opening said valve in said out- 11.Apparatus for evacuating the crank cases of automobiles through lowerdrain outlets thereof comprising a rigid pipe having an inlet at whichit is adapted to be temporarily connected with said outlets, and meansfor producing suction in said pipe, said pipe being of such length thatit extends from such an outlet to which it is applied substantially 'tothe side edge of the automobile, and means on said pipe for controllingthe production of suction therein by said first-named means.

12. Apparatus for evacuating the crank cases of automobiles throughlower drain out- 'lets thereof comprising, a conduit comprising aflexible pipe section and a rigid pipe section, the inlet end of saidrigid pipe section being adapted for detachable communication with saidoutlets of crank cases and of such length that it extends from such anoutlet to which it is applied, substantially to the side edge of theautomobile, means for producing flow of the lubricant from said outletthrough said conduit, and means on said rigid pipe section forcontrolling said first-named means.

13. Apparatus for'evacuating the crank cases of automobiles throughlower drain outlets thereof comprising, a rigid pipe having an inlet atwhich it is adapted to be detachably connected with said outlets, meansfor producing flow of the lubricant through said pipe, said rigid pipesection having a hand grip, and means on said grip for controlling saidfirst-named means, said rigid pipe section being of such length that itextends from such an outlet to which it is applied substantially to theside edge of the automobile.

14.- An apparatus for evacuating the crank cases of automobiles througha lower drain outlet, comprising a check valve in said outlet, a conduitcomprising a flexible pipe section and a rigid pipe section, means onthe inlet end of said rlgid pipe section for detachably engaging saidoutlet and opening said check valve, said pipe being of such length thatit extends from the outlet to which it is applied substantially to theside edge of 10 the automobile, and means for controlling the flow ofoil into said conduit for discharge therethrough.

15. The combination with an oil receptacle, such as the crank-case of anautomobile, of a discharge outlet below the normal oil level in thereceptacle, a valve for said outlet, a pipe-device fitted to be appliedto said outlet, means on said pipe-device for opening said valve, andmeans for exerting suction in said 2 pipe device.

16. Apparatus for evacuating the crank cases of automobiles throughbottom drain outlet thereof comprising a valve for said outlet, a rigidpipe provided at its intake end with means adapted to actuate said valveand seat thereimand means for producing suction in said pipe, said pipebeing of such length that it extends from such an outlet when appliedthereto substantially to the side 3 of the automobile.

17. Apparatus for evacuating the crank cases of automobiles through thebottom drain outlets thereof comprising a valve for said outlet, aconduit consisting of a flexible pipe section and a rigid pipe section,said rigid section being provided at its intake end with means adaptedto seat in and actuate said valve, and means for producing suction insaid conduit, the length of the rigid part of 40 said conduit beingsuch. that it extends from the outlet to the side of the automobile.

p 18. The combination with an oil receptacle, such as the crank-caseofan automobile, to be evacuated of its oil-content and contain- 4 ing avalve-equipped bottom discharge outlet, of means for evacuating saidreceptacle comprising a pipe device a apted to be applied to saiddischarge outlet for flow of oil into said pipe device, means forexerting suc- 5 tion in said pipe device, and means on said pipe devicefor controlling said secondnamed means.

HERMAN J. ENGlBRlE GHT.

